Crank-shaft mounting for internal-combustion engines.



T. J. STURTEVANT.

CRANK SHAFT MOUNTING FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1914.

LIMWM. Patented Dec. 21; 1915.

WMTE @Thhfi PATENTUFF1@E.

THOMAS JOSEPH STURTEVANT, 0F 'WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS, AS$IGNOR T0STURTEVANT MILL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21,1915.

Application filed September 5, 1914. Serial No. 860,403.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, THOMAS J. Srnn'rnvnxr, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at VVellesley, in the county of Norfolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented or discovered certain new and useful.Improvements in Crank-Shaft Mountings for Internal-Combustion Engines,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

This invention. relates to multiple-cylinder internal combustionengines, and is more particularly intended for use in connection withmarine engines, such, for example, as those of the well-knownMurraycTregurtha type, but may of course be used in connection withother styles of engines.

The invention has for its object to provide suitable mountings, for thecrank-shaft, the parts of which mountings are of such construction as topresent an open front, so that the crank-shaft may be convenientlymounted in place and will be readily accessible.

To this end the invention comprises a suitable number of crank-shaft sup)orts which are open at one side, these cran -shaft supports beingrigidly connected together at their bottom portions by longitudinalbars, preferably formed as angle bars, and being bolted at their upperparts to the water box of the engine, or an equivalent part, which willserve as a longitudinal beam affording rigid connections between thecrank-shaft supports at their upper ends, all as will be hereinaftermore fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is an elevation showing a portionof an internal combustion engine embodying the present invention. Fig. 2is a vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section ofone of the crank-shaft supports on line 33, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, 12 denotes the crank shaft supports which arein the form of brackets open at one side and having horizontal tops 13to which the cylinder-carrying water box 1%, or other suitable partforming a rigid longitudinal connecting beam, is secur-ed by suitablebolts 15. These open-sided crank-shaft supports or brackets may be madeby casting or drop-forging or built up frame constructions. The brackets12 are provided at their lower parts with flat vertical face portions 16to which are bolted longitudinal bars rigidly connecting the bracketstogether at their lower parts, these longitudinal bars beingpreferablyin the form of angle beams 17 which really form the base ofthe engine frame, in that they are adapted to rest on or be secured toany suitable support.

Each of the brackets 12 is preferably formed with a thickened portion orlug 18 tapped for the reception of a screw 19 the lower end of whichengages a removable cap 20 forming part of the crank-shaft bearing, theother part of which is afforded by a concave seat portion 21 with whichthe said cap 20 registers. Each cap 20 is preferably provided with anoil duct 22 which will, in practice, communicate with a suitable oilpipe or oil cup.

Extending throughout the length of the engine is an oil-holding base pan23 which will preferably be mounted in place by being attached to thelower edges of the angle beams 17.- The space between the angle beams 17and the upper longitudinal beam, herein shown as being in the form ofthe water box 14:, will preferably be inclosed by removable side covers24- mounted in place in any suitable manner. These covers are shown inFig. 2, but are omitted from Fig. 1.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the invention providesopen-sided crank-shaft supports which will permit the engine crank-shaftto be conveniently mounted in place, and which will permit of readyaccess thereto whenever this may be necessary or desirable. Owing to thefact that the crank-shaft supports or brackets are rigidly joinedtogether at their lower parts by longitudinal bars or angle beams 17 andat their upper parts by a longitudinal beam afiorded by the water box14, or any suitable equivalent construction, it will be understood thatthe invention provides a structure which will be very rigid, so that thebearings of the crank shaft cannot get out of alinement, but

which is at the same time comparatively light in proportion to the greatstrength afforded. If it be desirable to lighten the construction of thecrank shaft supports or brackets, where great strength will not benecessary, these brackets may be made wholly or partly of skeleton formby providing the same with openings 25, as indicated by dotted lines inFig. 2. Also the invention provides a construction which affords a baseof suitable strength and rigidity, but which will not require heavyfoundation parts, so that the engine structure will be sufficientlyrigid and strong without being unduly ponderous.

Having thus described my invention 1 claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent:

1. A crank shaft support, for an internal combustion engine, consistingof a bracket open at one side and having a horizontal. top portion, andflat vertical side portions or facings at its lower part, and havingalso a seat to afford a crank shaft bearing.

2. A crank shaft support, for-an internal combustion engine, consistingof a bracket open at one side and having a horizontal top or ion an a"ver ica sice )or ions r12 t dfl t t l l t 0 1c ings at its lower part,and having also a seat to afford a crank shaft bearlng, combined with acap registering with said seat,

and meansfor holding said cap in place.

3. A crank shaft support, for an internal combustion engine, consistingof a bracket open at one side and having a horizontal top portion, andflat vertical side portions or facings at its lower part, and havingalso a seat to afford a crank shaft bearing, combined with acapregistering with said seat, and means for holding said cap in place,said means comprising a set screw engaging said can and threaded into aportion of said bracket. v

4:. In a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine, a series ofopen-sided brackets provided with seats to afford crank shaft bearings,combined with longitudinal beams formed separate from said brackets butattached thereto and rigidly connecting said brackets together at theirlower arts, and a rigid .longitudinal beam formed separate from saidbrackets but attached thereto so as to connect said brackets rigidlytogether at their upper parts.

In a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine, a series ofopen-sided brackets provided with seats to. aiford crank shaft bearings,combinedwith longitudinal anglebars for-med separate from but rigidlycon necting said brackets together at their lower parts, and a llglCllongitudinal part formed separate from but serving as a beam to connectsaid brackets rigidly together at their upper parts.

6. In a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine, a series ofopen-sided brackets provided with seats to afford crank shaft bearings,combined with longitudinal beams formed separate from but rigidlyconnecting said brackets together at their lower parts, and a rigidlongitudinal part formed separate from but serving to connect saidbrackets rigidly together at their upper parts, each of said bracketsbeing provided with a cap registering with its crank-shaft seat, andwith. means for remorably securing said cap in place.

7. In a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine, a series ofopen-sided brackets provided with seats to afford crank shaft bearings,combined with longitudinal anglebars formed separate from but rigidlyconnecting said brackets together at their lower iarts, and a rigidlongitudinal part formed separate from but serving to connect saidbrackets rigidly together at their upper parts, each of said bracketsbeing provided with. a cap registering with its crank-shaft seat, andwith means for removably securing said cap in place.

8. In a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine, a series ofopen-sided brackets provided with seats to afford crank shaft bearings,combined with longitudinal anglebars connecting said brackets rigidlytogether at their lower parts, a rigid longitudinal part serving as abeam to connect said brackets rigidly together at their upper parts, alongitudinal oilholding pan attached to said angle-beams, and. removableside covers between said angle-bars and upper longitudinal connectingnart, to house in the crank-shaft.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS JOSEPH STUR'PEVAN'J.

Witnesses lIELEN F. rIrooINs, Inn Harmon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of latents,

- Washington, D. G.

